'Not an immediate priority' - third river crossing in Waterford not on immediate agenda
Councillors told the National Transport Authority has instructed the council to focus on projects which are centred around public transport, walking and cycling
Waterford City and County Council is prioritising sustainable transport over a third bridge in the city, a council meeting has heard.
The prospect of a third river crossing in the city was raised by Independent councillor Donal Barry at the council’s September plenary meeting.
Addressing the council executive, Cllr Barry said: “Is there any timeline as to when we’ll have presented the findings of the Strategic Assessment Report that is being conducted to evaluate the feasibility of a third river crossing to the east of Waterford City?”
Cllr Barry said a third bridge would be a “very important development”, despite it not being part of the National Development Plan.
Responding to Cllr Barry, Director of Services Gabriel Hynes said that while the third river crossing is part of the long-term plan for the city, it isn’t an immediate priority.
Mr Hynes said: “As part of the Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Study, the third river crossing is a part of that overall plan. However, that plan is scheduled to be completed once we have the other initiatives in the city completed first.”
Mr Hynes went on to say that the National Transport Authority (NTA) want to prioritise other projects centred around public transport, walking and cycling.
He commented: “As you’re aware, the population of Waterford City is roughly around 60,000 at the moment and it’s going to grow by 50% by 2040. That brings serious challenges in terms of transport.
“From discussions with the NTA, their preference is to deliver some of those schemes first, Bus Connects, and thereafter we [will] look at and commission the funding and the assessment into the third river crossing.”
Mr Hynes concluded by saying that the council executive would prefer a third river crossing to be delivered “in the shorter term rather than in the longer term”.
He told members present that a further update would be provided at the next plenary meeting.